The debate over the ‘right to vote’

December 11, 2013

As most readers probably know by now, there is a voting rights issue to be determined soon in the court concerning some part-time residents who chose to vote here in Cochecton during the last election. Since the Sullivan County Election Commissioners could not agree to deny these votes in question, the votes were deemed acceptable. However, a Republican committeeman has chosen to challenge the right of these peoples’ votes to be counted.

The issue is: if you live in a community part time, have a personal interest and a financial interest, direct or indirect (taxes) should you have a right to choose where to cast your votes?

A similar court challenge in the Town of Bovina in neighboring Delaware County involved eight voters. The Supreme Court Judge ruled in favor of the voters.

This issue transcends political parties; it is a voter’s right-to-choose issue. Interesting how often we hear people advocating for people’s rights: the right to bear arms, property rights, mineral rights, but in this case we should deny the right to vote.

Defense of the issue is being coordinated by the Cochecton Democratic Club with Daisy Smith as president. All support for the effort is welcome.